Myra was beside herself with joy when I told her Godfrey was going to enroll me in Waurweth academy.
According to her words, she had been nursing the idea since I turned ten but she was too anxious to ask the king about it.
Won't say I blamed her. She was only a serving girl.
However, when I mentioned Godfrey's condition, she became instantly worried.
"But Archer, tWaurweth academy is a three day journey from here and it's built in Luminis city. You don't know anyone there," she said. "How would you survive on your own?"
I smiled up at her. "I'm ten years old, mother. You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself."
Myra bites her lip. "Then I will come with you. You are too young to be on your own."
"You can't just abandon your duties here, mother," I said, trying to see reasons with her. "I promise, I'll be alright."
It took a great deal of persuasion from me before I could finally convince my mother to let me go.
* * * *
After a week of extensive preparations, I joined a merchant caravan which was bound for Luminis city, the city of light.
Godfrey couldn't risk placing me in the same carriage with my step sister. If I were to travel along with Camilia, it would arouse suspicion from the Queen. So, it was the merchant caravan or nothing.
My tuition fees have been all paid for. Godfrey had arranged that I have a boarding room all paid for but my feeding and other expenses were left to Myra to handle.
My mother kissed me on the forehead as I climbed into the caravan.
"I'll come visit you soon," she said. "I've stocked you with enough food to last you a month. Here are five silver coins. That's all I have. Use it wisely."
Five silver coins was equivalent to $500. Not much for a serving girl but decent enough to pay for basic stuff.
And so I began my journey to Luminis city, I waved goodbye to my mother as the carriage began to move.
It was noon when I left the kingdom for the first time. Camilia already left earlier that morning. She was given a farewell party and three elite soldiers to protect her on the way.
Good for her.
I didn't mind making the long journey in this cramped caravan with other travelers. I was already filled with anticipation of the new adventures I'd experience on the way to Luminis city.
I was living in a medieval era, no cars, no trains and no aeroplanes. I might as well enjoy myself.
* * * *
At nightfall, we set up camp in an open field clearing. Hired adventurers patrolled and kept watch over us against wolves or bandits.
I accepted a piece of dried meat and soup from a nice spice merchant whom I befriended. He took a liking to me and offered to support me when we arrived at Luminis city.
I have to admit, I love every bit of my new life. No mean old boss yelling at you, no overtime, no deadlines, no rush hours.
As I chewed my dinner, I stared at the night sky, wondering how Myra was doing.
Never for once did I think of Godfrey.
Suddenly, the night fell deathly silent. The crickets have stopped chirping. The owls weren't hooting. The grass wasn't rustling.
Something wasn't right. Even the adventurers could sense it. We were in danger.
Just then, an eight feet, massive, orc emerged out of the darkness wielding a rust spiked cleaver. Its tusks jutted from its lower jaws, dripping with saliva and its bulging muscles twitched as it stood over us.
Panic spread across the camp as everyone jumped to their feet in alarm.
More orcs appeared out of nowhere, bearing cleavers and throwing axes. A terrifying grin was etched on their faces as they chuckled evilly at us.
I stood up in awe, fascinated by these creatures. This was my first encounter with orcs and they were just as scary as I've read in stories.
"Orcs?" One of the hired guards gulped, stepping back with bulging eyes. "They're not supposed to be here. This isn't their territory!"
And he's right. We're still within King Godfrey III borders. Orcs were a rare sight around here, so I heard.
The leader of the hired adventurers cursed under his breath as he drew out his sword and shield. "Take your stance men. We must protect the merchants. Everyone stays behind us!"
The adventurers exchanged uncertain glances at each other. Even a blind man can see how terrified they were.
"B-but boss. They're too many of them. We can't take them all at once!"
"We're low rank adventurers. This isn't what we signed up for!"
"Yeah, we can handle bandits and wild animals. Orcs are past our league. We'll die."
The leader gritted his teeth as he yelled at them. "You think I don't know that? Of course we can't defeat them but we cannot abandon our duties. We'll buy enough time for the merchants to escape before we follow suit. It's the only way."
I admire his courage. He seems terrified like his party was but he's still standing strong to encourage them.
The largest orc stepped forward, swinging its cleaver with a red glint in its eyes. Before anyone could react, it lunged forward at the leader.
The leader raised his shield to block its attack but it was fruitless.
The cleaver smashed the shield, shattering it to pieces. The impact of the blow sent the man flying in the air. He skidded through the grass before going out cold on the ground.
His party froze like statues.
They couldn't believe their eyes. Their leader was taken out with just one strike. This destroyed every ounce of morale they had left in them.
"W-we are dead," the lady among them whispered, her breath coming in fast. "We don't stand a chance against the orcs."
Panic spread across the camp as the merchants and travelers screamed and scrambled back.
This was bad. If someone strong enough doesn't come to save us we'll all be killed like chickens.
Well, it's not like I'm going to let that happen.
These orcs were strong, no doubt, but I was stronger. A decade of training and mastering magic has prepared me for this very moment.
I'm only ten years old, but my confidence was overwhelming. To me, these bastards were nothing but small fries.
My golden eyes glowed, a smirk appearing on my face.
I can take them on. Every single one of them!